Arrest Made in Home Invasion/Murder

NEW PORT RICHEY- On Jan. 12, 2009 Pasco Sheriff Bob White announced the arrest of a former Pasco County man in the murder of an elderly man last summer.

At about 2 a.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2008, an intruder looking to steal prescription drugs broke into the screen patio of the Timber Oaks home of Joseph and Roberta Wido, 10519 Quimby Drive.

Upon entering the couple's bedroom, the suspect was challenged by Mr. Wido, a World War II veteran and Bronze Star recipient. The suspect shot Mr. Wido once, killing him. The suspect then tied up Mrs. Wido, leaving her on the floor next to her dead husband. The suspect continued to search the house for prescription drugs, found none, but did steal jewelry and cash. When the suspect fled, he left Roberta Wido tied up on the floor until neighbors heard her cries for help 10 hours later.

The break in the case came when detectives were able to connect this crime to another home invasion that occurred in the vicinity several hours before. In that case, the suspect had dropped a mask at the crime scene. The mask was sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for DNA testing, which came back with a hit on a local Pasco man. Pasco detectives made contact with witnesses who confirmed that he had stated to them that he was the one who had shot and killed Joseph Wido. With this information, detectives were able to obtain an arrest warrant from the Pasco-Pinellas state attorney's office. The suspect, however, had fled to North Carolina.

Last Friday, on the birthday of victim Joseph Wido, Pasco detectives Sgt. Eric Seltzer and Det. Jason Hatcher made contact with suspect Francis Sicola, DOB 12-29-82, 3309 Ireland Road, Yadkinville, North Carolina, at which time he was arrested for first degree murder. Additional charges could be forthcoming. At this time, Sicola is still in North Carolina awaiting extradition, which could take weeks. The Yadkin County Sheriff's Office has been assisting with the investigation in North Carolina.